The perfect appetizer for any party, holiday, or get together, Bacon Wrapped Dates are a quick and easy recipe. Whether you eat them plain (no cheese), or stuffed with cheese, these versatile snacks are eaten on a toothpick served with crispy bacon and Medjool dates. Bake them in the oven or crisp them in the air fryer, these are sure to be a party favorite.
Use this recipe as a great side dish for holidays like New Years Eve, Christmas, or Thanksgiving. A great starter, packed with flavor filled with cheese that will leave people asking for more.
This is the perfect finger food or appetizer for any baby shower, book group, girls night, work party, or social gathering. They also fit a keto diet.
We have some other great recipe for such the occasion like our Jam and Brie Pastry Puffs, and our Artichoke Dip Jalapeño Poppers.
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Ingredients
- Medjool Dates
- Raw Bacon- you can get your favorite flavor of bacon to amplify the flavor. Try, smoked, hickory, or peppered.
- Cheese (optional) - use cheeses such as feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, mascorpone, gorgonzola, cream cheese, or ricotta.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Cut the bacon strips in half.
2. If stuffing with cheese, take a sharp knife and cut a slit in the date to open it up. Add 1 teaspoon of cheese to each date.
Place the date at the edge of the bacon.
3. Roll the date in the bacon until it is completely covered and the bacon ends.
4. Slide a toothpick down the center of the date in order to secure the bacon.
5. Place each wrapped date on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook at 350* F for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and flip over each date.
6. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until the bacon starts to become crispy.
7. Serve warm with the toothpick still in the middle.
Hint: You can make this recipe without a toothpick. Using the toothpick is helpful while baking. It helps you flip them over and it makes it easier to serve.
Substitutions
Use these substitutions in order to make this recipe fit your specific dietary needs while still enjoying this tasty appetizer.
- Turkey Bacon - instead of pork bacon, you can use turkey bacon for delicious results.
- Vegan Bacon - make this a vegetarian and vegan meal by replacing pig bacon with your favorite kind of vegan bacon.
- Dairy Free- if you decide to add cheese to this finger food, make it dairy free by using your favorite dairy free or vegan cheese.
- Smoked or Hickory Bacon-Use your favorite style of bacon.
- Figs- Instead of dates, you can wrap dried figs in bacon instead.
Variations
Use these variations to make this recipe just the way you like it!
- Goat Cheese - add 1 teaspoon of goat cheese in the middle of each date and then wrap.
- Feta or Blue Cheese - add 1 teaspoon of feta or blue cheese in the middle of each cut open Medjool date.
- Maple Syrup- When you take them out of the oven to flip over, drizzle each bite size appetizer with maple syrup. Put back in the oven and continue cooking.
- Spicy- Sprinkle the top of the bacon with red pepper flakes for a spicy variation of the dish.
- Honey- Once flipped over, sprinkle honey over the top of each wrapped date.
- Brown Sugar- For a sweeter taste, sprinkle brown sugar after flipping over to finishing cooking.
Air Fryer Method
You can easily make these in the air fryer. Place each date at the bottom of the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes at 390* F. Flip each date and cook for 8 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
Equipment
- Sheet Pan- to cook the recipe.
- Cutting Board- To cut the bacon and slice the dates.
- Sharp Knife- If your dates don't come pre-sliced, you will need a sharp knifed to cut into them.
- Parchment Paper- we always love to line our sheet pans with parchment paper when cooking something in the oven. It makes for quick and easy clean up and a non stick surface without having to use extra oils. You can also use a silicon mat!
Air Fry: Use an air fryer to cook these bacon wrapped dates. This will cook the appetizer more quickly than the oven and give the bacon a fun crispy texture.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer. The texture of the bacon may vary when reheated.
You can freeze this recipe for up to one month. Make sure to make and cook, and then cool before putting in an air tight container and freezing.
When ready to eat, place in the oven or air fryer in order to warm and crisp.
Served with:
You can serve this appetizer with nuts. They pair well with pecans, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, or water chestnuts.
Serve with cheeses like, brie, gorgonzola. gouda, or a sharp cheddar.
Add them to a charcuterie board for a fun party dish.
Top tip
Make these Bacon Wrapped Dates your own by adding variations like cheese, brown sugar, honey, or smoked bacon. Or eat them plain, as is, for a great party appetizer.
Recipe
Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan
- Parchment Paper
- air fryer If using this cooking method
Ingredients
- 20 Dried Dates pitted
- 10 Bacon Slices
Optional flavor add ons
- ½ cup Goat Cheese or feta cheese, or blue cheese
- ¼ cup brown sugar sprinkle on halfway through cooking. See notes for additional flavor add ons.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350* F (see notes for air fryer method)
- Cut each bacon strip in half. If stuffing with cheese, cut a slit down the date to make an opening. Place 1 teaspoon of cheese in the center of the date, or leave plain.
- Place the date at the end of the bacon strip and roll until all the bacon is used. Roll each date and then place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the bacon is the desired crispness.
- Serve plain or with balsamic glaze, honey mustard, or add to a charcuterie board with cheese, or nuts.
Notes
- Preheat to 390* F
- Place wrapped dates at the bottom of an air fryer basket.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Flip over with the toothpicks and cook for additional 5 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
- When halfway cooked, after flipping over, sprinkle with brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup, or even rosemary sprigs for extra flavor.
- Dip in your favorite balsamic glaze.
- Make it spicy by sprinkling red pepper flakes halfway through baking.
Nutrition
Yes, once cooked, you can freeze this recipe for 1 month. Simply reheat in teh oven or air fryer when ready to serve.
This is a relatively healthy appetizer because you don't use a lot of bacon per date. They also fit a keto diet.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Andrea
I love making this appetizer on a toothpick for parties, especially during the holidays like New Years Eve, and Christmas. I love eating them plain or adding goat cheese. It's a perfect sweet and savory bite size snack. I made mine in the air fryer and the bacon was so crispy.